The group reached the entrance of the village, leaving behind the corpse of the Solperine. The sun had not fully risen yet—it was still early morning—but the place was already bustling: merchants were opening their stalls, setting up fabrics, pottery, strange fruits, and magical items. A light mist still floated through the alleys, tinted by the first light of dawn.
The Furelynx walked calmly beside the group, attached to a sturdy leash held by Canon.
Relia, silent, hesitated for a moment to hide her elven ears. She looked up and saw a lizard-man unloading crates from a cart pulled by a horned skeleton horse. Her gaze swept the area: an ogress was selling potions to an old human, a horned child was chasing a dog.
So, she gave up the idea. Here, races seemed to live together, and no one seemed to mind.
"I'm starving… Can we buy something to eat ?" asked Kai
Helydia, still keeping track of the group's funds, pulled out a small pouch and shook it.
"Sorry, but we don't have much left. Two gold coins, fifty-one silver, and a few bronze ones to be exact."
Canon, still holding the leash, added:
"Shouldn't we ask where we are, at least to know whose territory we've stepped into ?"
"Since monsters and humans coexist here without trouble," replied Relia, "it's probably not human territory. We must be on the lands of one of the Calamities."
"Really ? I thought humans believed in the supremacy of their race and didn't mix with monsters," said Canon, scratching his shoulder.
"Guess those who live on Calamity's territory don't share those values," said Relia.
"A Calamity, huh... Just need to figure out which one," said Dante, folding his hands behind his head. "Funny… it's the first time I've traveled outside my country's borders."
"Like the rest of us, blondie. No need to get all wide-eyed like a little girl," grumbled Canon.
"Not me", replied Relia. "I've left Chronos several times. When my superiors sent me on missions to other human nations."
"For what ?" asked Helydia, curious.
"Lots of things. Fending off monster hordes, settling political conflicts, representing the country alongside my father…"
Her voice hardened slightly, then she corrected herself, remembering the anger she felt toward her adoptive father.
"… I mean, the fundament of Protection."
A brief silence followed her words. Then all eyes turned to Samuel, who was walking at the back.
"So Samuel, where do we go first ?" asked Helydia with a smile.
"Sleep" replied Samuel with a weary voice. His eyes were ringed with dark circles from two sleepless nights, and his body seemed twice as heavy, drained by battle and excessive use of mana.
He was dragging his feet.
"Alright, that's settled then", concluded Helydia, turning around. "We're looking for an inn. After that… we'll see."
They asked a pastry vendor for the way to an inn, and he pointed them to an alley just a few steps away, under a small stone bridge.
The sign, hanging from a wrought iron hook, depicted a hand holding a candle surrounded by stars. In golden letters, it read:The Wandering Flame.
The establishment seemed modest but well-kept. A pleasant scent of burning wood, soup, and clean linen wafted from inside. To their surprise, the inn also offered healing services for familiars, mounts, and wounded creatures.
They immediately entrusted the Furelynx to a healer, a soft-voiced half-dwarf woman who assured them it would be treated with care.
Then they took three rooms: one for Dante and Kai, the second for Canon and Relia, and the last for Samuel and Helydia.
They slowly climbed the stairs. Once in the room, Helydia opened the window, letting in a fresh breeze that stirred the blue curtains. Samuel didn't wait any longer: he collapsed on the bed without even taking off his boots, sprawling out, eyes half-closed.
Helydia, silent, put away her belongings in a closet
Samuel spoke in a tired, almost whispered voice.
"Helydia… you're in charge for the rest of the day. Wake me if it's really urgent… otherwise… I'm sleeping."
And without waiting for an answer, he closed his eyes and immediately sank into a deep sleep.
Helydia stood still for a moment. She watched him, peaceful despite everything they had been through. A quiet smile appeared on her lips.
She was touched by the trust Samuel had placed in her.